Clear Tv Key

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Clear TV Key Antenna is a small, new, digital antenna whose design is meant to attach directly to the cable output on your regular television. Once attached, it offers access to free high definition television without traditional antennas, wires, or contracts. The company claims that with this antenna you can cancel your cable subscription and receive hundreds of channels for free, without the hassle of contracts or monthly payments. Allegedly, all you must do is plug this antenna into your television, and start viewing.

Total Cost Breakdown

The cost of Clear Tv Key is $19.99 plus $7.99 shipping, for a total price of $27.98. Price is from As Seen on TV Commercial page: cleartvkey.com

Pros

Good Reviews

The customer reviews for Clear TV Key Antenna are quite positive, among those who have realistic expectations.

Inexpensive

This antenna costs fifteen dollars plus the seven dollars in shipping and handling. However, if you purchase a second one, you get it for free and only have to pay shipping and handling for the second set.

Warranty

The Clear TV Key Antenna is a Tristar product which means it has a 60-day refund policy, which does not include the S&H charges. However, if you opted for the two antennas, and you end up sending it back, you will lose twice as much in the shipping and handling losses.

Cons

Not Enough Channels

The negative remarks are associated with customers who did not fully understand that premium content was not covered under the free cable. A lot of frustration stems from users who might be within the recommended 25 miles of a broadcast tower and still only received one or two channels. This is far from the hundreds like the commercial said they would.

Bad Customer Service

If you are not satisfied, you have to contact customer support to get your refund and customer service has received very poor reviews for Tristar Products.

How It Works

Antennas pick up radio waves which are sent by way of broadcast towers. The antenna puts the electrical information together again, forming the images that are shown on your screen. Between digital and analog signals, the biggest difference is that digital can be better recreated without as much information lost. It is this which produces better quality. After 2009, all u. S. Broadcasters were legally required to transmit with digital only ( this was after the removal of analog and the nationwide switch to digital cable ). This digital television transition required television watchers to invest in digital antennas in order to pick up the radio waves, antennas like this one.

Save Money

The clear tv antenna is a modified version of the previous clear tv and clear tv black box. This key antenna really works as a small digital antenna that picks up the television waves sent through the air in your area. With this, it allows you to watch broadcast television without a cable contract or fees. Said antenna plugs into the tv cable output, and then picks up on whatever is being broadcast in your area. This is done without charging you a cable bill each month. The commercial claims that you can watch things like pbs, fox, nbc, or sports without antennas or wires. It can also be attached in places like a boat, in an rv, or to a television you brought with you on a picnic. As such, it enables you to watch television for free while you are on vacation too.

How it's Different from Competitors

Compared to older versions of this antenna, and other antennas like it, there are two things which set this design apart. The Clear TV Key Antenna attaches directly to the cable output located on the backside of the television. This means it alleviates power cords running the length of your living room. Second, the antenna is tall and thin, taller and thinner compared to other versions, which means it can hide discreetly behind most televisions. Of course, this is contingent upon the type you have. If you have a television which is 32” or smaller, a portion of your new Clear TV Key Antenna will probably stick out on top. Basically, the smaller your television set, the more of the antenna will show. That said, this is also subject to change based on where the cable output is located on your television.

Alternatives

Digital Antennas

There are alternative antennas which have better reviews and purportedly better reception than the Clear TV Key Antenna. These include Winegard Flatwave AIR and the Mohu Leaf antennas. Other alternatives include digital antennas available in stores, which are easier to return if you are unhappy.

Additional Concerns

Frequency Types

There are two frequency types to consider. The VHF stands for very high frequency and it moves farther but is not able to move through objects, and as a result it produces lower quality. Then, the UHF stands for ultra high frequency and is doesn’t travel as far but it can move through steel, concrete, wood, and other materials that make up or are found in your home. These also provide better quality. The majority of digital antennas come with both, but if they only offer one over the other, ultra high frequency is best.

Indoor Versus Outdoor

Antennas like this one are designed for indoor use only. This means that the signals might become weaker if they have to pass through your house. As such, this means that users who want outdoor signal should invest in a different digital antenna. Also, those who use this one indoors will need to verify the best place to put the antenna in order to maximize the signal strength without the antenna becoming an eye sore.

Types of Antennas

That said, in order to watch network television for free, you must have a digital antenna like this one. However, there are two types of antennas. The first is an omnidirectional which, as the name suggests, can get signals from any side. Directional is the second, which, again as the name suggests, only gets signals from one direction. People who live in areas which are heavily populated and crowded, such as inner city apartment buildings, might be able to get good signals using omnidirectional because the signals are coming from all over. Those who live in rural areas where the signal only comes from one direction benefit more from directional antennas.

Channels You Will Get

As the commercial suggests, with the clear tv key antenna there is a chance that you can watch things like pbs, fox, or cbs. You will not be able to watch the premium channels though, like tnt, hgtv, or hbo. Things like this are not free and you won’t be able to get their signals for free with this antenna. So, if your favorite shows are not on cable-only networks, then you can still watch them even if you cancel your cable subscription. However, if the majority of things you watch are premium network content for which you are charged additional fees, then this antenna won’t really help you.

Tips & Tricks

Measure Before You Buy

If you are concerned about the Clear TV Key Antenna sticking out behind your television, you can measure 16” straight from your cable output to verify how much, if any, will show before you buy.

Wise Advice

Do not buy Clear Tv Key online before searching Amazon.
- Alternatives or the same items are always available and sometimes at lower prices.

Wise Advice

Do not buy Clear Tv Key online before searching Amazon.
- Alternatives or the same items are always available and sometimes at lower prices.

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